Before CDs replaced records and iTunes replaced CDs, Sam the Record Man on Yonge Street was pretty much the mecca for music lovers in the city. Sam Sniderman, the Record Man himself, died Sunday. We’re pretty sure, wherever he is, that he’s listening to some sweet tunes. RIP, Sam.
A few decades ago, playwright William Inge was regarded with the same sense of respect and admiration as his contemporaries Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. His play, Picnic, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953, but it is rarely performed anymore. Inge was certainly not untalented, but he was always a sentimental playwright who lacked the wit, sharpness and insight of his post-war contemporaries.
At the top of an unassuming staircase at a tiny Yorkville address, The Black Box Boutique opened its doors on Sept 8. Owner Lilla Balint has transformed a former office space into a sweet little jewel box of a store, selling — three guesses — jewellery. “I wanted people to walk in and have it be shiny and glittery,” Balint says.
Süssreserve is grape juice that is added to wine after it has been fermented to add a touch of sweetness, a traditional practice in Germany. This wine is straw coloured with a greenish tint. The nose is honey and citrus fruits.
As you line up for hours for the new iPhone 5 like it’s Boxing Day at Wal-Mart, just remember that using a phone was once a privilege for Torontonians, and then have a good laugh at their expense because it totally sucked to be them.
Let me flatly state my feelings about the Shaw Festival’s revival of Hedda Gabler: this one is for the ages. From Richard Eyre’s adaptation (more than merely a translation) to director Martha Henry’s grand direction to the blood-curdling artistry of Moya O’Connell’s astonishing title character to Jim Mezon’s inspired, evil Judge Brack, the production finally gives the magnificent playwright Henrik Ibsen his due.
Until four or five years ago, the only grain used to brew beer was barley. Alright, obviously that’s not true. Beer has been made with wheat for centuries (especially in places like Germany and Belgium) but it wasn’t until recently that wheat beers found a place in the North American spotlight. Now it’s rye’s turn to make a place for itself on the list of cereals that are used to make beer.
It’s time for Just For Laughs 42, an all-out comedy assault on the city of Toronto led by Louis CK. The star of FX hit Louie will be one of 42 comic acts to unleash war on the city’s funny bone during the eight-day festival, which begins tomorrow. Under the category of “Wait, they’re funny??”: David Suzuki and the odd-couple pairing of Elizabeth May and Raine Maida will also perform.
Smoke BBQ House is looking to bring some down-home, southern-style barbecue to Toronto when it opens at 536 Manning this October. Led by owner Francesco Grandi and executive chef Tony Gallippi, the new joint will also feature some creative twists.
If we learned anything from the Marc Jacobs fall runway show, it’s that hats are the key accessory of the season. Even if an oversized, cartoon-like creation made from fun fur is not your cup of tea, to deny a statement headpiece from your wardrobe is a serious faux pas. Instead, try something a little more understated — sleeker, and more chic — like this version by Tiger of Sweden from Shoppalu.
Opulent clothing? Check. Token eccentric dude? Check. ‘Tude? Double check. Yep, these dudes have total Gangnam Style. We’re pretty sure they could ride that horse pretty well, too. Especially that guy on the left.
The wait is over. The first Canadian outpost of chef David Chang’s Momofuku empire opened today and a mean bowl of ramen isn’t the only thing Torontonians should be anticipating. Beyond notable fare, the chef recently told Australian Gourmet Traveller that the music selection is another memorable feature of his international set of restaurants, and he should know — Chang creates the unique playlists for each of his restaurants himself.
